THAILAND. Airports of Thailand generated THB6,365.38 million (US$ 203 million) in non-aeronautical revenues for the first quarter ended 31 December 2017, up +15.17% and representing 44% of group income.
Aeronautical revenues rose +16.38% to THB8,247.07 million (US$263 million).
Concession revenues (mainly from King Power International’s duty free and related businesses) made up 62% of non-aeronautical income, surging +19.2% to 3,930.83 million (US$125.3 million)
Passenger numbers at the six airports controlled by the airport group rose by +12.76% to 34.64 million, comprising 19.77 million international and 14.87 million domestic passengers. Airports of Thailand did not split passenger growth by international and domestic routes.
“The overall aviation industry of Thailand during October 2017 to December 2017 improved compared to the same period last year,” said Airports of Thailand. “This is in line with growth in the tourism sector. Support from the Thai government for tourism makes Thailand an attractive destination to tourists. As a consequence, the number of tourists travelling to Thailand increased, especially Chinese tourists.”
Other positive factors in the tourism sector included the rapid expansion of low cost airlines and the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) removal of Thailand from its list of significant safety concerns on 6 October 2017. “In other words, the ICAO dropped the red flag for Thailand,” said the airport company. “This restores trust in Thai aviation safety standards. Thai airlines, therefore, can expand their international routes. This is positive to both the aviation industry and the overall economy.”
